NARUTO: GOD LEVEL FORGING SYSTEM

At the Konoha Spring Festival, there was a long-standing tradition where boys gifted presents to girls. It was a symbolic gesture, often carrying romantic undertones. However, Kazuki hadn't considered this when he spotted the delicate hairpin, nor did he expect Hinata to buy it for herself.

Besides, Hinata—shy, gentle, and adorable—was like a blooming cherry blossom herself.

Who wouldn't want to buy a beautiful, delicate hairpin to complement her soft, indigo-tinted hair?

Kazuki picked up the pink cherry blossom hairpin.

Then, with a gentle touch, he clipped it just above Hinata's ear.

The hairpin suited her perfectly.

Hinata's natural timidity and sweet demeanor gave her a charm as soft and fleeting as sakura petals.

Now, with the hairpin adorning her hair, she looked even more radiant—so much so that one couldn't help but find her endearing.

"Th-thank you, Kazuki kun."

Her voice was barely above a whisper, light as the rustling of spring leaves.

At that moment, her cheeks flushed a deep shade of pink, mirroring the cherry blossoms in full bloom.

During the Spring Festival, the tradition of boys giving gifts to girls was widely known.

But typically, such gifts held romantic implications.

Hinata pondered this, sneaking a glance at Kazuki.

Did he even realize what this meant?

If he did, and he still gave her a present, that would be...

Her heart thumped at the thought.

But even if he didn't, receiving a gift from him was enough to make her happy.

"Kazuki Kun, what are you doing?" she asked curiously, noticing the charcoal in his hands.

"Since it's the Spring Festival, my sister and I are having a barbecue by the river. What about you? If you're free, you should come with us," Kazuki offered with a warm smile.

A picnic... with Kazuki?

Hinata's eyes widened in excitement.

"R-really? Can I join too?"

Just the thought of it filled her with anticipation.

For a girl like her—raised in the strict Hyūga compound, where daily life was filled with training and solitude—the idea of a carefree picnic was incredibly enticing.

"Of course! Barbecues are more fun with more people," Kazuki assured her. "And you've met my sister, Tenten, before. I'm sure you'll get along well."

Hinata nodded eagerly.

"Sister Tenten is very kind. I like her a lot."

Without hesitation, Kazuki took Hinata's hand.

"Then let's go. We'll need to buy some supplies first."

"...!!"

He—he's holding my hand!

Warmth spread from where their fingers intertwined.

Hinata's heart raced, pounding like a taijutsu sparring session.

Her mind went blank, her breath hitching.

All she could think about was:

Kazuki kun is holding my hand. Kazuki kun is holding my hand. Kazuki kun is holding my hand…!

Completely unaware of the turmoil he had caused, Kazuki walked ahead, leading her through the bustling festival.

He had no reason to think anything of it.

After all, in the world he came from, children didn't concern themselves with things like love at such a young age. But in this world—even in peaceful times—children matured quickly. They understood emotions like love and admiration from an early age.

Still, to Kazuki, these girls were just kids.

Besides, having grown up with Tenten, he was used to physical closeness—hand-holding, hugs, forehead flicks… and the occasional sparring match.

Tenten, after all, was a wild spirit.

No wonder she admired Tsunade.

So it never crossed his mind that this simple action would cause Hinata's heart to nearly leap out of her chest.

"Hey! Stop right there!"

A loud, determined voice cut through the festival chatter.

"Quit bullying that girl!"

Kazuki blinked in confusion, glancing around.

Bullying?

Who?

There was only Hinata beside him.

Frowning, he turned toward the source of the voice.

A boy in an orange jumpsuit sprinted toward them at full speed, blue eyes blazing with determination.

It was none other than Naruto Uzumaki.

"Heaven, Big Brother Kazuki, why are you here?" Naruto immediately recognized Kazuki, lowered his voice instantly, and asked shyly while scratching his head.

Kazuki asked with a bit of doubt in his eyes, "Naruto, were you yelling at me just now? Bullying girls?"

Naruto's face suddenly became a little more embarrassed, and he smiled foolishly.

"This, this, this, I didn't recognize you as Big Brother Kazuki.

I thought someone else was bullying a girl, so I wanted to act like a hero and protect her.

If I had recognized you as Big Brother Kazuki, I definitely wouldn't have made such a mistake."

Kazuki smiled and asked,

"Then who did you think I was bullying?"

Naruto pointed at Hinata and said, "It's this girl. I thought she was about to faint, and you were dragging her away."

Kazuki: "???"

He looked at Hinata again.

Sure enough, her face was red as if she had a fever, and she looked really flustered.

He hurriedly asked, "Hinata, are you alright? Are you feeling unwell? Should I take you to the hospital?"

Hinata shook her head and whispered, "I-I'm fine, but Kazuki kun suddenly took my hand, and I… I…"

I may have fallen in love with him!

Hinata's mind unconsciously gave birth to such a thought.

It was this realization that made her feel even shyer, and her brain lost the ability to think clearly.

At the academy, she often heard Haruno Sakura and Yamanaka Ino talk about Sasuke, but Hinata never really understood what "liking" meant.

Sakura and Ino always said that when you like someone, your heart races, your face flushes, and your eyes can't stop following them.

Isn't this exactly what I'm feeling now?

So,

Is Kazuki kun the person I like?

"Ah, sorry."

After Kazuki heard what Hinata said,

He suddenly realized that he had been holding her hand the entire time, making her feel embarrassed.

He couldn't help but chuckle in his heart, Hinata's reaction is too cute—it makes me want to tease her even more.

But then he felt ashamed of his mischievous thoughts.

Forget it, she's already so flustered. I shouldn't tease her any further.

Kazuki let go of Hinata's hand and turned to Naruto, asking, "I'm going to the river for a picnic and barbecue. Do you want to come?"

"Barbecue? Doesn't that mean there's meat to eat?!" Naruto's eyes instantly lit up.

For a boy who lived on instant noodles and the occasional bowl of ramen, meat was a rare and precious delicacy.

"Big Brother Kazuki! Please take me with you!" Naruto hugged Kazuki's leg, looking desperate.

"Pfft—" Kazuki was amused, pulled Naruto up from the ground, and said, "Let's go. I already bought the cooking utensils, and I'm sure Tenten is waiting for us by the river."

Naruto nodded enthusiastically, afraid Kazuki might change his mind and leave him behind.

Hinata also nodded but felt an odd emptiness in her palm, as if she regretted telling Kazukijun about holding hands.

That was a rare chance to hold hands with him…

Soon, Kazuki took Naruto and Hinata to the river as planned.

As expected, Tenten had already bought the ingredients and was waiting for them.

However, there were a few unexpected faces standing beside her.

Lee was a given—Tenten's training partner and the ever-eager sparring partner of Kazuki. If there was an opportunity for food and bonding, he would never miss it.

But what Kazuki didn't expect was the presence of Hyūga Neji—the Hyūga prodigy known for his strict demeanor and strong belief in fate.

Why is Neji here?

Kazuki turned to Tenten and whispered, "Did you invite him?"

Tenten sighed helplessly,

"Yeah, I ran into him earlier, and he asked where you were. He said he wanted to challenge you."

"I didn't want him to keep pestering me, so I told him. But in return, he had to pay for all the barbecue ingredients."

Kazuki's eye twitched.

This girl… She's too good at saving money! At such a young age, she already knows how to make someone else pay for everything. Truly impressive!

The atmosphere became tense.

Hinata and Neji, cousins who once had a close bond as children, now stood in awkward silence.

Despite being family, they had grown apart due to the rigid traditions of the Hyūga clan.

Neji, embittered by his father's sacrifice, had harbored resentment toward the main family, including Hinata.

Meanwhile, Hinata felt guilty—knowing her position as the Hyūga heiress had indirectly led to Neji's suffering.

Hinata hesitated before quietly speaking, "Brother Neji…?"

Neji turned to her, his voice cold.

"Miss Hinata, I didn't expect you to come to an outdoor barbecue. It doesn't suit someone of your status."

Kazuki observed the exchange and noticed the tension between them.

Neji's past animosity toward Hinata was well known, especially after their fight during the Chūnin Exams.

However, despite his harsh words, there was something unreadable in his expression.

Kazuki turned back to Tenten and muttered, "So, he's here to challenge me?"

Tenten nodded.

"Yeah, but hey, at least we got free food out of it."

Kazuki sighed internally.

This girl… She really knows how to exploit an opportunity!

Hinata, on the other hand, felt torn.

She had always been silently cheering for Kazuki, but she also felt sympathy for Neji.

After all, Neji had once been undefeated—until Kazuki defeated him in a single move.

Now, faced with both her past and her present, Hinata remained quiet, uncertain of what to feel.

Neji, too, said nothing more, standing in silence, avoiding her gaze.

For now, neither was ready to confront the complicated history between them.

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